Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will formally (1) announce, and (2) award, Bus Service Improvement Programme grants; and when the 34 areas chosen will receive (a) funding, or (b) written confirmation of funding.

34 places received an indicative funding allocation for their Bus Service Improvement Plan.

24 had their allocations confirmed in August. For 10 places we have had further questions to resolve with the authorities first. Decisions on confirming those allocations will be made in due course.

Delivery of most of the allocated funding is conditional on the submission of a robust and ambitious Enhanced Partnership between the local council and bus operators. We are working closely with stakeholders to ensure these are in place, with the first round of grants expected to be released in November. Two locations are pursuing a system of franchising, for which the release of funding is conditional on adequate mechanisms being in place to deliver the improvement plan before franchising takes effect.